Oolong

Recently, there has been frequent rainfall in South China, posing a challenge for storing Pu'er tea. Proper handling can lead to better transformation of the tea, while improper handling can cause issues such as mold. Storage has become a challenge, as different regions have varying climates, so is there a difference in storage methods? Don't worry, after reading this article, you will find answers to these questions. The Four Factors Affecting Pu'er Tea Storage When the same Pu'er tea is stored in different environments, the final aged quality will vary. The four factors that significantly influence the quality of Pu'er tea storage are "temperature," "humidity," "light protection," and "air." These play the most significant role in the transformation process of Pu'er tea during storage. 1. Temperature: Temperature plays a crucial role in the transformation of Pu'er tea. Excessively high temperatures can cause the tea to develop off-flavors; in excessively low temperatures, the transformation process slows down or even stops. Therefore, a relatively suitable temperature is essential for storing Pu'er tea. The temperature for storing Pu'er tea should not be too high or too low, and it is recommended to maintain it around 25°C ± 3°C. 2. Humidity: Humidity is also…

There are six main types of tea, and the storage time after opening varies depending on the type. Green and yellow teas can typically be stored for about 2 to 3 months after opening. These types of tea are particularly susceptible to oxidation and should be consumed as soon as possible. Black and Oolong teas can be stored for 6 to 12 months after opening. Dark teas and Pu'er teas can be stored long-term if properly preserved after opening. How Long Can Opened Tea Be Stored? If tea is left unsealed after opening, it can be stored for around 3 months. The key to preserving tea is keeping it dry, sealed, away from light, and free from odors. Leaving opened tea unsealed makes it susceptible to external influences, accelerating the oxidation of its internal components and shortening its shelf life (to around 3 months). If you seal the tea in an aluminum bag and place it in a metal tin, then cover the tin with a plastic bag and tie it securely, you can store it in the refrigerator. How to Store Opened Tea: After opening, store the tea in containers or bags with high airtightness at room temperature. To…

Slowly brew the years and gently cook the tea, enjoying half a day of casual family chat. In winter, sitting around a kettle, pouring your heart out in conversation, listening to the boiling water, and savoring the joy of cooking tea is an extremely poetic affair. Tea drinking methods are generally divided into two: cooking tea and brewing tea. Brewing offers rich flavors, pleasant broth colors, and allows one to experience the changing taste with each infusion, while cooking provides a stable flavor. Differences Between Cooking and Brewing Tea 01 Difference in Amount of Tea Used For brewing, about 3-6 grams of tea is usually sufficient; for aged dark teas or oolongs [aged Tieguanyin or aged Yancha], more can be used, approximately 7-10 grams. When cooking tea, the amount of tea should be reduced to about one-third of the usual brewing quantity. It's best not to use too much tea to achieve the optimal flavor. The specific ratio can be adjusted gradually based on the type of tea and the amount of water. The principle is to use less rather than more tea, as using too much can affect the taste. 02 Difference in Suitable Types of Tea Gaiwans are…

The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month is known as Laba Festival in China. As the saying goes, "Little children, don’t be greedy; once Laba has passed, Chinese New Year will soon follow." By this time, all agricultural work has been completed, and with the approach of the Spring Festival, the customs of Laba take on many festive colors. Soaking garlic in vinegar, eating Laba porridge, and enjoying a fragrant cup of tea are all part of these traditions. They not only help warm the body but also imbue the air with a strong sense of the upcoming New Year. What teas are suitable for drinking during this cold month? Black Tea (Red Tea) In the depths of winter, black tea is an excellent choice. There are many varieties of black tea in China, the most famous being Qimen black tea. The number of black tea enthusiasts in China is growing, and the range of products available is becoming increasingly diverse. Black tea is mild in nature and particularly suitable for consumption during the winter months. Aged White Tea Aged white tea is very suitable for brewing during the winter. In accordance with the natural laws of dormancy, it…

Over several hundred years, the family of white tea tree species has seen the addition of many new members. Do you know which species your white tea comes from?Theoretically, fresh leaves from any tea tree can be processed into different types of tea using various techniques. However, due to differences in species, some are better suited for specific types of tea. Traditional white tea requires a tea tree with abundant downy hairs, prominent white hairs, and high amino acid content. White tea made from such trees is covered in white hairs, with a pronounced hairy aroma and a fresh, refreshing taste.In the beginning, white tea was made from the fresh leaves of vegetable tea. Later, the range of tea tree species expanded, and varieties like Fuding Dahao, Fuding Dahao, Zhenghe Dahao, and Narcissus gradually entered the scene.Superior National Cultivars The most well-known are Hua Cha No. 1 (Fuding Dahao) and Hua Cha No. 2 (Fuding Dahao). These two species can be considered the two leading members of the white tea family, strong and at the peak of their popularity.Fuding Dahao is also known locally as "white-haired tea." It originated in Baiqiu Village, Nodding Town, Fuding. It is clonal, a small…

Tea lovers often keep a large amount of tea at home. Many people store their tea in the refrigerator, and some even purchase a small fridge specifically for this purpose. However, this is a misconception – whether or not to place tea in the refrigerator should be considered on a case-by-case basis. 1. Teas Suitable for Refrigeration Green tea, lightly fragrant Oolong tea, and dehumidified tea. Among the six major types of tea, green tea is the most prone to spoilage and requires extra attention during storage. You can place the tea in a sealed tea canister, then put it inside a sealed bag before refrigerating it. Lightly fragrant Tieguanyin and dehumidified Oolong, which have gained popularity, can also be stored in the refrigerator. Green tea, lightly fragrant Oolong tea, and dehumidified tea are suitable for refrigeration. 2. Teas Unsuitable for Refrigeration Dark tea, aged Tieguanyin, Pu'er tea, and white tea are not suitable for refrigeration due to their need for post-production transformation, especially Pu'er tea, where aging significantly affects its drinking value. Storing these teas in the refrigerator can lead to moisture issues. Additionally, in the low-temperature environment of the fridge, the activity of biological enzymes within the tea…

Why do many people like to brew tea with a gaiwan? A gaiwan, as the name suggests, is a teacup with a lid. Most of the gaiwans we see today typically consist of three parts: the lid, the teacup, and the saucer. These three parts are metaphorically referred to as heaven, earth, and human, hence the gaiwan is also known as the Three Talents Cup representing harmony among heaven, earth, and humanity. Benefits of Brewing Tea with a Gaiwan One, a gaiwan is suitable for brewing any type of tea. There is no tea that cannot be brewed with a gaiwan, unlike a glass cup which is only suitable for green tea and not other teas. Purple clay teapots are not ideal for brewing green tea or oolong tea. Additionally, due to the double-pore structure of purple clay teapots, they tend to absorb the flavor of the tea, so if you enjoy drinking a variety of teas, you would need a different teapot for each one. On the other hand, if you use a gaiwan, the porcelain does not absorb flavors. With just one gaiwan at home, you can adjust the brewing process slightly according to the nature of the…

Aged tea refers to tea that has been processed from leaves harvested in the previous year or even earlier. Even if stored properly and well-preserved, it is collectively known as aged tea. New tea, by convention, refers to tea made from fresh leaves picked around the Qingming Festival in the same year. What is the difference between new tea and aged tea? 1. Different moisture content New tea generally has a lower moisture content, so the tea leaves are tightly rolled, feel dry to the touch, hard and brittle, and can be easily ground into powder with your fingers. Aged tea, due to long-term storage, has higher moisture content, making the tea wet and heavy. It cannot be crushed into powder with your fingers, and the tea stems are not easy to break. 2. Different colors New tea has a lustrous and vibrant color, clearly green, appearing in shades of light green or dark green. When brewed, the tea has a bright green color that gradually turns slightly yellow, with clear broth and glossy leaves. Aged tea loses its freshness in color and appears dull and less lustrous due to the oxidation of unsaturated components and the slow automatic decomposition…

Brewing tea is not only a pleasure but also an art. To brew the perfect cup of leaf tea, you need good quality tea leaves and the right brewing techniques. Today, we will discuss how to brew the best leaf tea at home so that every sip is filled with warmth and comfort. (Image source: Internet, delete if infringing) Selecting the Right Tea Leaves Before brewing, selecting the right tea leaves is crucial. There are many types of teas available on the market, including green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, and Pu'er tea. Different types of tea have different characteristics and brewing methods. Green tea has a fresh fragrance, black tea is rich and full-bodied, oolong tea lies between these two in terms of flavor, white tea is more delicate, while Pu'er tea requires long-term aging. Preparing Necessary Utensils (Image source: Internet, delete if infringing) Brewing tea requires some basic utensils: teapot, teacup, tea strainer, thermometer, and timer. Different types of tea have different requirements for water temperature and brewing time, so these utensils help you better control the brewing process and ensure each cup of tea achieves its optimal taste. Mastering the Correct Water Temperature Water temperature…

White tea, often referred to as "one-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure." It embodies the principle of moderation in taste, featuring the floral fragrance of oolong tea, the sweet richness of black tea, the fresh aroma of green tea, and the medicinal scent and jujube fragrance of aged white tea. How should you brew it? Here are four methods for brewing white tea. To brew white tea well, first master these three key factors: the grade, age, and form of the tea. For new loose leaf white tea and Silver Needle, start at 85°C; adjust the water temperature by 3-5 degrees based on the coarseness of the leaves. When brewing new tea or tea buds, avoid pouring the water directly onto the leaves; instead, pour along the sides of the cup. For aged teas, compressed cakes, and bricks, boiling water can be used for brewing or cooking the tea. The Brewing Methods for White Tea: 1. Gaiwan Brewing Method for White Tea Suitable for: Silver Needle, White Peony, and new white tea. Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1:30. Water Temperature: 85-90°C. Steps: Warm the cups and utensils, add the tea, pour hot water along the edges of the gaiwan, after 10 seconds, quickly…

Phoenix oolong tea is characterized by its warm and spicy nature, sweet and mellow taste, and extraordinary aroma. It is renowned for its unique qualities such as "solitary and high fragrance," "drinkable perfume," "aromatic, sweet, and lively," and "distinctive mountain character." For tea enthusiasts, the primary concern is often how to select, which aspects to focus on, and how to identify quality before delving into the nuances of aroma and flavor. Evaluating Dry Tea for Quality The appearance of dry Phoenix oolong tea can be assessed in terms of shape, color, uniformity, and cleanliness across four aspects. The tightness of the leaves can indicate whether they come from high-altitude or low-altitude areas, were picked young or mature, or harvested during different seasons. The shape can also reveal any flaws in processing that led to loose and flat leaves. The luster and freshness or dullness of the color can help determine the aroma quality. Teas with a glossy and vivid color generally have purer and higher aromas, while those with a dull color have lower, mixed aromas. Dull colors are usually due to old leaves, excessive bruising, delayed killing of the green, or too low or high temperatures during drying. The…

In recent years, Sinan County has firmly embarked on a path of eco-priority and green development, leveraging its unique natural ecological treasures to cultivate and promote its eco-friendly tea brand. By strengthening close cooperation and synergistic development mechanisms among tea companies, it has successfully attracted many high-quality clients. Tea loading. At Guizhou BaiFuyuan Eco-Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. in Xujia Dam Town, Sinan County, the workshop is bustling with activity as workers are diligently packing boxes of red oolong tea. This batch of tea was purchased by Guizhou Dingjia Tea Co., Ltd., a supplier of tea drink ingredients for Wahaha Group, and is about to embark on its journey to Wahaha’s tea-based beverage production line. Ready-to-ship tea. Speaking about the 800-ton order of red oolong tea, Liu Housi, head of the Sinan County Tea Industry Association, said with joy, “The first delivery of this order is 60 tons, divided into three batches, and the first truckload has already been dispatched, loaded with 20 tons of high-quality tea.” Transporting tea. To further promote the tea industry, Sinan County established a tea industry association in July this year, pooling the wisdom and strength of various tea cultivation, processing, and related enterprises in the…

Sha Qing is a process in tea production, which involves using high temperatures to denature and deactivate the oxidase enzymes in fresh tea leaves. This inhibits the enzymatic oxidation of polyphenols in the fresh leaves, allowing them to release moisture and become softer. It is also a critical step in shaping the quality of the tea. Methods of sha qing include drum sha qing, pan sha qing, trough sha qing, steam sha qing, hot air sha qing, and microwave sha qing. Different methods produce different effects, thus resulting in unique characteristics in the finished tea. Sha qing follows the principle of "high temperature first, then gradually lower." Sha qing is one of the initial processes in making green tea, yellow tea, dark tea, oolong tea, Pu'er tea, and some black teas. The primary purpose is to use high temperatures to denature the enzymes in the fresh leaves, inhibiting the enzymatic oxidation of polyphenols and slowing down the fermentation process. 1. The Purpose of Sha Qing The term "sha qing" refers to fresh leaves. In Pu'er tea production, sha qing uses a specific temperature to denature the activity of enzymes in the tea leaves, inhibiting the enzymatic oxidation of polyphenols and…

Autumn is here. What adjustments should we make to our tea-drinking habits? How can we drink tea for health in autumn? Tea drinking has been a part of Chinese tradition, and there are specific considerations for what types of tea to drink throughout the year: 01 Puer Tea Scientific evidence shows that Puer tea has multiple effects, including dissolving fats, regulating metabolism, and protecting against radiation. Long-term consumption of Puer tea can reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, making it useful for treating obesity. Drinking Puer tea also causes physiological effects such as vasodilation, reduced blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and increased cerebral blood flow, making it beneficial for hypertension and cerebral arteriosclerosis patients. 02 Chrysanthemum Tea Chrysanthemum has a slightly bitter and sweet taste and is slightly cold in nature. It can disperse wind and clear heat, improve liver function and eyesight, and detoxify and reduce inflammation. For dry mouth, heat in the body, eye strain, or conditions like limb pain and numbness caused by wind, cold, or dampness, Chrysanthemum tea can provide therapeutic benefits. It can be used to treat common colds, headaches, and other conditions. Due to the characteristics of the season, autumn can be dry, causing many office…

Let's start with a chart of the Longjing family relationships. The head of the family is Hang Jiahe, who has a daughter named Hang Pan with his former wife Fang Xiling. In the previous article, we mentioned the love at first sight between Hang Pan and Nationalist pilot Cao Jiayuan. Hang Pan is in charge of overseeing hundreds of acres of tea garden, including the famous Lion Peak Hu Gong Temple area. By "overseeing," it mainly means managing the garden rather than preventing others from stealing tea leaves. During the month or so when Longjing tea is picked and processed, there are many people bustling about on the mountain, making it difficult to steal tea. If it's not the picking and processing season, stealing tea would be pointless because the resulting tea would taste terrible and couldn't even be sold as vegetables. Hang Pan's oversight is essentially garden management. The People's Liberation Army took over ten days to capture Hangzhou, officially announcing its liberation on May 3, 1949. The first third of "Looking South of the River" describes the winter and spring before the liberation of Hangzhou. In her diary, Hang Pan wrote: "The fighting has started again, and everywhere…

Basic Introduction to Tieguanyin of Anxi Tieguanyin was invented by Han Chinese tea farmers in Anxi, Fujian Province between 1725 and 1735. It originated from Yaoyang Mountain in Xiping Town, Anxi County (as per the Wang account). It belongs to the oolong tea category and is one of China's Top Ten Famous Teas, representing oolong teas. It is midway between green tea and black tea. The pure Tieguanyin plant is a shrub type with a sprawling growth habit, oblique branches, and leaves that are horizontally positioned. As a semi-fermented tea, it possesses the general health benefits of tea and was presented as the top of the Top Ten Famous Teas at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. Nutritional Value The organic chemical components in Tieguanyin, such as tea polyphenols, catechins, and various amino acids, are significantly higher than those in other types of tea. The inorganic mineral elements include abundant potassium, calcium, magnesium, cobalt, iron, manganese, aluminum, sodium, zinc, copper, nitrogen, phosphorus, fluorine, iodine, and selenium. The inorganic mineral elements in Tieguanyin, such as manganese, iron, fluoride, potassium, and sodium, are higher than those in other types of tea. Product Characteristics Appearance: robust, round, resembling the head of a dragonfly,…

Can all teas be both steeped and boiled? Of course not. Some teas can become unpalatable when boiled. So, which teas are suitable for boiling, and which are best for steeping? Compared to steeping, boiling allows the full release of a tea’s contents, resulting in a sweeter and richer tasting tea. Which Teas Are Suitable for Boiling, and Which Are Best for Steeping? Green tea should not be boiled. It is an unfermented tea with delicate leaves. Boiling would destroy the vitamin C content and cause excessive caffeine to seep out, turning the tea yellow and making it taste bitter and astringent. Huang tea (yellow tea) should not be boiled. Yellow tea must never be boiled. Its appeal lies in its freshness. Boiling with high water temperatures would ruin the delicate green tea, causing too much caffeine to be released, resulting in a bitter and astringent flavor. Aged white tea can be boiled. New white tea cannot withstand boiling. The most suitable for boiling are aged Gongmei or Shoumei teas. White Peony and Silver Needle, especially those containing tender buds, are not recommended for boiling. Black tea can be steeped or boiled. Black tea is a fully fermented tea with…

With so many varieties of tea, it can be overwhelming to choose. How to pick the right tea is a common challenge. If you want to buy good quality tea, consider the following suggestions: 1. Avoid buying by "Famous Names" In today's market, almost every tea bears a famous name, such as "Iron Goddess (Tiě Guānyīn), Frozen Peak (Dòngdǐng), or Great Red Robe (Dà Hóngpáo)" for oolong teas, "Dragon Well (Lóngjǐng), Da Fang" for pan-fired green teas, "Green Snail Spring (Bìluóchūn)" for slender green teas, and "Yellow Mountain Fur Peak (Huángshān Máo Fēng)" for plump green teas. Be aware that famous teas are not as common as potatoes. 2. Avoid buying by "Packaging" Poor quality teas are often packaged extravagantly in gold-embellished or antique-styled containers, such as porcelain bottles, tin cans, and redwood boxes. They may look like gold on the outside but are like cotton fluff inside. 3. Avoid buying "Assorted Collections" Dishonest sellers mix poor quality teas and package them as "Five Famous Teas," "Eight Famous Teas," or "Ten Famous Teas." Be cautious; if you want to try all types of famous teas, you need to do some research. 4. Avoid buying by "Place Names" When visiting tea-producing…

Often when watching others brew tea, you'll see them first scald the pot with hot water before adding the tea leaves. There's a term for this action in the trade known as “warming the pot.” Scalding the tea utensils with boiling water not only ensures hygiene but also serves a practical purpose. Warming the cups and pots is a habitual action that most people perform before brewing tea – even after cleaning the utensils, they are rinsed again with boiling water. Many believe that this ceremonial gesture disinfects the tea ware, making it more hygienic to drink from, and raises the temperature of the utensils, which improves the taste of the tea. However, few delve deeper into the underlying reasons. What other significant effects does warming the cups and pots have? I. Public Cleaning, Demonstrating EtiquetteIf we say that warming the cups and pots is for cleaning the tea ware, it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Tea is clean by nature, and thus requires a clean and hygienic environment and utensils. Before the tea ware is placed on the table, it should naturally be cleaned beforehand; why would one need to clean it again? The action of warming the cups…

Why Choose Iced Mineral Water for Brewing Tea? Brewing tea is an art, and choosing the right water and temperature is key. In the world of tea, the quality of the water has a crucial impact on the final taste. Using iced mineral water to brew tea, this unique method not only preserves the natural flavor of the tea leaves but also imparts a distinctive coolness to the tea. (Image source: network, delete upon request) Benefits of Brewing Tea with Iced Mineral Water Maintaining the Pure Flavor of the Tea Mineral water is naturally rich in minerals, which can enhance the flavor of the tea. As the iced mineral water slowly melts, it gradually releases these minerals, ensuring that the flavor of the tea leaves becomes richer and more complex. Compared to using tap water or purified water, mineral water can make the aroma and taste of the tea fuller. Gradually Releasing the Aroma of the Tea As the iced mineral water melts, it gradually releases moisture, allowing the flavors of the tea leaves to be released progressively, avoiding the bitterness that can sometimes occur when brewing with hot water. This method is particularly effective for high-quality green teas and…

In recent years, Sinan County has leveraged its ecological resource advantages to carefully cultivate and enhance its ecological tea brand. Through strengthening close cooperation and a coordinated development mechanism among tea enterprises, it has successfully attracted the attention of numerous high-quality clients. At Guizhou BaiFuyuan Ecological Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. in Xujia Basin Town, Sinan County, the workshop is bustling with activity as workers are busily packing boxes of red oolong tea for shipment. This batch of tea was ordered by Guizhou Dingjia Tea Industry Co., Ltd., a tea ingredient supplier for Wahaha Group, and is destined for Wahaha's tea product beverage production line. Speaking about the 800-ton order of red oolong tea, Liu Housi, head of the Sinan County Tea Industry Association, said: “The first delivery consists of 60 tons, divided into three batches to be delivered to the customer’s designated location. The first truckload, carrying 20 tons of premium tea, has already departed smoothly.” Thanks to the matchmaking efforts of the Sinan County Tea and Mulberry Technology Promotion Center, Guizhou Dingjia Tea Industry conducted in-depth inspections of several local tea enterprises in Sinan, eventually leading to this collaboration. Lin Songrong, head of Guizhou Dingjia Tea Industry, remarked: “The…

Possibly the only Oolong tea that is still processed the old fashioned way, Chinese tea Fenghuang Dancong bushes are growing between 500 to 1400 meters above sea level on the SE mountains slopes of Fenghuang (Phoenix) Mountain in Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China. Fenghuang Dancong’s production is very limited due to the tea trees’ unique geographical preferences. Local people discovered Dancong tea trees in the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279) and started to farm it. As the tip of the leaves resembles the shape of bird beak, it is also called "bird beak tea". The special feature of Dancong tea of China lies in the flavors of tea. According to Wikipedia, "The doppelganger of teas, Dancong teas are noted for their ability to naturally imitate the flavors and fragrances of various flowers and fruits, such as orange blossom, orchid, grapefruit, almond, ginger flower, etc."China Dancong tea’s special functions includes (in addition to the functions of general tea): Reducing the free radicals in the body thus reducing chances of cancer; Lowering cholesterol and fatty tissue levels; Slowing the aging process; A Dancong tea dealer once told us that Dancong from old tea trees could dissolve the meat and rice overnight. We did try…

The Start of Winter signifies the beginning of a period where all things enter a state of rest and storage. Plants wither, insects hibernate, and the activities of all things tend towards cessation. Before the courtyard, winter snow inspires poetry; around the hearth, so do wine and tea. Though the weather is cold, we are fortunate to have warm tea to nourish our bodies and provide solace. Living between heaven and earth, humans must strive for balance between yin and yang. An excess of yang brings heat, and one's diet should then include more yin-natured foods to balance the internal yin and yang. An excess of yin brings coldness, requiring the intake of yang-natured foods for the same purpose of achieving balance. This is also the rationale behind "eating warming tonics in autumn and winter." The demand for tea or the regulatory effect of tea on the body is, in essence, a manifestation of human respect for and adherence to nature. Therefore, it is crucial that we follow natural laws, adjust our habits according to seasonal changes, and drink tea scientifically in different seasons. Tea Should Be Warm-Natured in Autumn and Winter Due to global warming, the distinct characteristics of…

Summer is hot, and drinking tea requires special attention. Many people drink a variety of teas without any pattern during summer, which not only fails to cool them down but also causes discomfort. Many people prefer cold drinks in summer, but drinking tea is actually better. When choosing tea for summer, it's important to consider the climate, the nature of the tea, and one's own constitution. How can we enjoy good tea in summer? Today, we introduce some suitable teas for the season. Cooling Off with Flower Teas In summer, it's advisable to choose cooling flower teas that can help relieve thirst and reduce heat, though those with weak spleen and stomach should avoid them. When deciding on what flower tea to drink, consider the properties of different teas; those with weaker constitutions may opt for more neutral or slightly warm flower teas. Chrysanthemum has a sweet taste and is slightly cold, effectively dispersing wind heat and calming the liver while improving vision. After prolonged visual strain, brewing a cup of chrysanthemum tea can not only refresh the mind but also prevent cardiovascular diseases. Staying Alert with Green Tea Under the blazing sun and high temperatures of summer, the body…